title: Evaluation of a stair-climbing power wheelchair in 25 people with tetraplegia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the performance of a power wheelchair with stair-climbing capability (TopChair) and a conventional power wheelchair (Storm3).
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-center, open-label study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (N=25) who required power wheelchairs because of severe impairments affecting the upper and lower limbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Indoor and outdoor driving trials with both devices. Curb-clearing and stair-climbing with TopChair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Trial duration and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) tool; number of failures during driving trials and ability to climb curbs and stairs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 25 participants successfully completed the outdoor and indoor trials with both wheelchairs. Although differences in times to trial completion were statistically significant, they were less than 10%. QUEST scores were significantly better with the Storm3 than the TopChair for weight (P=.001), dimension (P=.006), and effectiveness (P=.04). Of the 25 participants, 23 cleared a 20-cm curb without help, and 20 climbed up and down 6 steps. Most participants felt these specific capabilities of the TopChair--for example, curb clearing and stair climbing-were easy to use (22/25 for curb, 21/25 for stairs) and helpful (24/25 and 23/25). A few participants felt insecure (4/25 and 6/25, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TopChair is a promising mobility device that enables stair and curb climbing and warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France. isabelle.laffont@rpc.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laffont
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guillon
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fermanian
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pouillot
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Even-Schneider
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruquet
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aegerter
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dizien
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lofaso
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014910:Wheelchairs